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Have you ever heard of the United Order of Tents? Likely not. You might be surprised to learn that it is a secretive organization founded by Black women. The United Order of Tents, also referred to as the Grand United Order of Tents, stands as one of the oldest fraternal organizations entirely managed by Black women.
This organization has its origins linked to the Underground Railroad in Norfolk, Virginia. It was established by two formerly enslaved women, Clara B. Williams and Ella R. Johnson. While details about Johnson are scarce, Williams, who served as a nurse on the plantation, utilized her position to help enslaved individuals escape to freedom.
In 1867, Williams and Johnson incorporated the organization using the names of white abolitionists, J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union, to avoid persecution. This marked the creation of the first mutual aid organization for women chartered in Virginia post-Civil War. The founders named it after the tents that served as refuge for runaway slaves, viewing the Order as a “tent of salvation” meant to support and uplift the Black community during Reconstruction.
The chapters of this organization engaged in vital community work, focusing on caring for the sick and elderly, assisting those in need, and ensuring dignified burials for the deceased. They founded several homes for the aged, including the Rest Haven Home for Adults, which operated for over a century. Additionally, they provided loans to community members when banks turned them away, and offered group insurance for those denied by traditional insurance companies.
Though these efforts may seem minor, the work of the Order of the Tents was both radical and at times perilous. Williams and Johnson initiated these actions in a deeply segregated society, at a time when many formerly enslaved individuals had just begun to gain autonomy. The organization’s secrecy was a response to the risks involved; they developed rituals and customs exclusive to members, and joining required an invitation from a current member. They also adhered to a Christian ethos, which likely contributed to the safety of the Order’s members.
Over its 120-plus years, the United Order of Tents has expanded to include national, district, and local membership across Georgia, North Carolina, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The Order has served as a social group, a sanctuary, and a collective force for action.
The United Order of Tents is a cornerstone of what is now recognized as “the Black women’s club movement.” This movement involved the assembly of Black women into fraternal organizations aimed at enhancing their communities, leading to the formation of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and the National League for the Protection of Colored Women, which later joined with other entities to create the National Urban League. Many of these women also played roles in establishing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Mary Church Terrell, the inaugural president of NACW, eloquently articulated the mission of these organizations in her first address: “We call ourselves an Association to signify that we have joined hands one with the other, to work together in a common cause… Our association is composed of women… because the work which we hope to accomplish can be done better… by the mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters of the race.”
Women like Clara B. Williams and Ella R. Johnson often remain unrecognized during Women’s History Month and Black History Month. Nevertheless, the members of the United Order of the Tents bravely confronted myriad challenges while diligently caring for their communities. Despite years of operating in the shadows, they deserve acknowledgment for their significant contributions.
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Summary
The United Order of Tents is a historic organization founded by Black women that played a crucial role in mutual aid and community support post-Civil War. Established by Clara B. Williams and Ella R. Johnson, the organization provided vital services to the Black community, including healthcare and financial support, while operating in secrecy due to societal risks. Their legacy is intertwined with the broader Black women’s club movement, which sought to uplift their communities and advocate for social change.